How to Become an Air Force Psychologist

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Choosing to be an Air Force Psychologist can be a rewarding career decision for the right person. A psychologist in the United States Air Force will work with both military personnel and their families. Military personnel are normal people who have the same issues and problems as anyone else, so they require the same services available to them that are available to the public at large—this includes psychological services. However, Air Force personnel and their families experience additional issues and problems that are not common to the public at large, so an Air Force Psychologist must be uniquely qualified to help with issues such as frequent relocation and possible combat trauma.

Educational Requirements for This Career

The United States Air Force will only consider those who hold at least a Master’s Degree in Psychology for acceptance as an Air Force Psychologist. Obtaining a Master’s Degree in Psychology requires a bachelor’s degree (usually in psychology or a related field) from an accredited college or university. The master’s degree must have been earned at a university that has been accredited by the American Psychological Association. While the master’s degree is the minimum requirement, some Air Force Psychologists will choose to earn the Ph.D. degree in psychology.

Additional Prerequisites and Requirements

The Air Force also requires all Air Force Psychologists to be licensed to practice psychology. Said license must be kept current, be unrestricted, and (of course) valid. It’s advised for those considering becoming an Air Force Psychologist to include military issues, particularly those related to post-traumatic stress disorder, as part of their education prior to joining the Air Force.

As the Air Force Psychologist is an officer in the United States Air Force, they are required to complete the normal basic training program required of all Air Force personnel. Basic training lasts for five weeks and includes both classroom instruction and rigorous physical training. Once basic training is complete, the Air Force Psychologist will begin their work and may be assigned to any number of locations around the world.

Air Force Psychologist—Salary and Benefits

One reality that may or may not be a benefit, depending on the individual, is that as an Air Force Psychologist there is no need to maintain a private practice. This can allow the individual to focus more on the practice of psychology and less on running a business, and may be a big benefit for some. Additionally, the Air Force Psychologist realizes all of the normal benefits offered to United States military personnel and their families.

In the United States, military salary is based on rank and number of years of service. A psychologist who is a captain with five years of experience will earn the same as any other captain with five years of experience. As of 2013, an Air Force Psychologist with the rank of second lieutenant (O-1) and two years of service was paid $42,588 per year while a captain (O-3) with more than ten years of experience would earn $70,351 per year.